Donovan seeks ramp up of nation’s cybersecurity training programs

U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY), a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, on Sept. 12 introduced a bipartisan bill that would establish a federal Department of Labor grant program to train cybersecurity professionals.

“Cybersecurity threats will continue to present national security challenges for America in the 21st century,” said Rep. Donovan. “With these threats and the changing economic and technological landscape, America needs a workforce that can adequately advance our cybersecurity defense priorities.”

The Cyber Ready Workforce Act, H.R. 6791, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), would authorize the cybersecurity workforce training program to “further efforts to create jobs in our communities and our ability to respond to cybersecurity threats,” the congressman said.

If enacted, H.R. 6791 would establish the grant program within the U.S. Labor Department and require department’s secretary to award grants on a competitive basis to workforce intermediaries that would create, implement and expand registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity. Support services provided to apprentices could include career counseling, mentorship, transportation assistance, housing, and child care costs, according to the text of the bill.

“The demand for talent in cybersecurity is sky-high, and we’re putting ourselves at risk if we don’t address this shortage in our workforce,” Rep. Rosen said. “I’m committed to ensuring that businesses and government have the skilled people and critical tools they need to enhance our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure, help industry thrive, and strengthen our national security.”

Cosponsor U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), chair of the U.S. House Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, said cybersecurity is a high-demand industry and the nation “must cultivate our workforce to ensure these needs are met. I urge my colleagues to support this important national security bill.”

CompTIA, a national trade association for the global technology industry, applauded the lawmakers for addressing “this critical issue.”

“Through innovative public-private partnerships, under the direction of the U.S. Department of Labor, the information technology industry will have greater access to registered apprenticeship programs and be better able to train the cybersecurity professionals our nation needs,” said Elizabeth Hyman, executive vice president for public advocacy at CompTIA.

H.R. 6791 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee.